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Camaro Design Through The Years: Fourth Generation

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There’s few people on this earth as qualified to analyze the fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro’s styling than exterior design manager for the Camaro program, Kirk Bennion. The fourth-gen car arrived in 1993 and lasted until the 2002 model year, when General Motors phased the Camaro out completely amid decreasing demand for sports coupes.

It’s been over 20 years since the fourth-generation Camaro’s debut and according to Bennion it “still looks as sleek as anything on showroom floors today.” The timelessness can be chalked up to the fast-rake windshield, which pushed the front firewall and cowl forward, accentuating the car’s overall ‘wedge’ shape.

“Having a low front end was important to the design,” says Bennion. “It really worked with the high deck lid rear spoiler to enhance the appearance of motion. All these years later, it still looks contemporary – and fast!”

Analyzing the exterior of the 1996 Camaro SS, Bennion noted the integrated wheel flares and smooth bodylines, a huge change from the geometric lines and flared out arches of previous generation Camaros. The ‘wraparound’ style rear wing was a first for Camaro’s and was wind tunnel-tested, Bennion says. The wing was joined by a functioning SS-specific hood scoop, which helped exaggerate the Camaro’s aggressive nature.

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8 Comments

93 – 97 were the best looking Camaros, in my opinion. The only drawback was the skip shift feature of the 6speed. 98-02 had a better engine (LS1) but sales dropped because they made the headlights ugly.

The skip shift was not an issue as you could fix it for less than $50 in less than 15 min. There were several modules out that you just plugged into the tranny and it was disabled. I have done it to many a Camaro and Corvette.

As for head lights they did not help but the fact the car was old and tired by 2000 was an issue. GM also need to redesign the platform as it would not meet the new crash regulations. The fact was GM did not have the money for it as they has many other more profitable models in need of help.

This is why Lutz did the GTO on the cheap as he has no time, money and little support from with in to save Pontiac. It was a Hail Mary and just was too little to late. The car did not get the hood scoops and the exhaust split on both sides till 05 because they did not have the money to do it in 04. That is how tight money was at the time. That Info came from Fred Simmons of Pontiac Motor sports directly to me at Norwalk Raceway Park back in 04.

93 to 97 were the worst looking, I’d love to have an 02 black on black SS T- tops probably my favourite ever . Hate being a passenger in the car tho,that exhaust bump in the floor drives me nuts. But at least it has the legendary LS1 in it.

What they do not tell you here is GM was working on a FWD model that was to have replaced the 3rd gen. This was called the GM 80 program and was to have been a V6 model with FWD and later AWD option. Ford at the time was working on the Probe to take the place of the Fox body Mustang and go FWD too.

Well as you know the Fox body Mustang had strong sales so Ford abandon their plan and made the FWD Mustang a Probe.

Well GM looking at Ford decided they needed a new car in RWD as many inside GM did not want the forced on them FWD. So work began around the time the Fiero program was canceled.

You may ask why did I say Fiero in a story about the F body. Well the styling was done for the 1990 Fiero GT when the car was canceled. This just happened at a time when GM needed a new direction for the 4th gen F body. Well These programs were under GM head designer John Schinella and he loved the 1990 FIero GT so much he used it as the template for the new F body program.

John said the styling was too good to throw away so he had his staff make the needed changed to make the cars into RWD Front Engine Hatch models. While details are changed you can put a photo of the Camaro and the Fiero beside one another and see the similar lines and the roots of the design that originally was drawn in the mid to early 80’s,

Not only did they take the styling from the Fiero but they also took the Dash panel nearly unchanged from the new never built Fiero and used it in the Camaro and Firebird. Many Fiero owners have adapted these dashes to their custom built cars to mimic the 1990 model.

Today the GM 80 program is mostly forgotten and the 1990 Fiero GT is in the GM historic collection.

This story was told to be my John Schinella himself at Pontiac Michigan back around the time the 4 gen arrived.

I agree that the 4th Gen still looks pretty good, especially when you compare it to the cars of ’93…I see a few Gen 4 Camaros, but I almost never see a Probe or Fiero. Even the Mustang was not very good looking in ’93. I think the reason the 4th Gen has held up is because it was based on the very competent and futuristic GM CERV III. Google image the CERV III and you’ll see the family lines. Also, I don’t think that there is another car that gives near Corvette performance for so much little money.